Last season, Cal Poly’s women’s soccer team lost to the then-top-ranked team in the country, UCLA, due to a controversial foul in the 89th minute that gave the Bruins a penalty kick to take the lead.

Nearly a year later, the Mustangs (0-2-1) and their 30 returning players, the most in Division I women’s soccer, had to avenge that heartbreaking loss when they hosted the Bruins (3-0-0) at Mustang Memorial Field.

Although UCLA is not as highly ranked as it was last season, most recently finishing at No. 6 in the United Soccer Coaches Week 1 poll, the Mustangs still faced a season-deciding test against a team with a stifling defense.

Before traveling to San Luis Obispo, UCLA had eliminated two other Big West Conference opponents, Long Beach State and UC Riverside.

This game was no different, as UCLA’s defense held up against the Mustangs’ attack early in the first half. Cal Poly was forced to make some risky through balls to get the offense going, but couldn’t break through the Bruins’ defense.

However, the Mustangs knew what was coming and responded accordingly. Cal Poly’s defense, led by reigning Big West Defensive Player of the Year Emma Brown, rose to the occasion and played equally tight defense to keep the game even.

Veteran goalie Mackenzie Samuel, who started this game as coach Alex Crozier decides who he wants in goal in league games, stopped three shots in the first half, thwarting UCLA’s attack whenever it attempted to attack.

In the second period, the Mustangs had their backs against the wall against a Bruins team that became more aggressive as the game went on. UCLA had seven shots on goal in the second period and won 11 corner kicks throughout the game.

The Bruins finally managed to break the tie in the 69th minute when Lily Reale went solo and broke through a stifling Cal Poly defense that did everything it could to stop her, finishing with a shot into the bottom right corner of the net that gave UCLA a 1-0 lead.

The Mustangs looked for an answer goal, shooting from outside the box and trying to surprise the Bruins, but could not equalize.

Although they couldn’t come out on top in the end, Cal Poly showed they have what it takes to compete with the best in the country and gave one of the top teams in the country their toughest game yet.

The Mustangs will then take a week off before traveling to Hornet Field on August 29th at 1 p.m. to face the Sacramento State Hornets.